Never Relax When You’re Winning
🔹 Never Relax When You’re Winning
Have you ever had a completely winning position… and still lost?
It’s one of the most painful feelings in chess — and yes, it’s happened to me too.
Recently, I looked at a fascinating game from the European Club Cup in Rhodes, Greece, between Faustin Oro and GM Andrei Volokitin.
At one moment, Oro’s attack looked unstoppable.
He had sacrificed his bishop on g6, opening the black king’s shelter — and it seemed like checkmate was just a few moves away. 🤩
Everything looked over. Oro’s pieces were ideally placed, the king was exposed, and it felt like the game was about to end in a beautiful attacking victory.
But then came the move Re8?? 🤔 — a move that looked winning at first glance.
Logical, natural, powerful… but it was actually the turning point.
Suddenly, Volokitin’s pieces came to life, and the counterattack began.
Black’s last move, …Rf2!, was pure geometry.
If White captures with Kxf2, the incredible …Ne4+! Appears — attacking the king and the queen simultaneously.
Just like that, the entire position collapses. Oro had to resign.
I’ve had similar experiences myself — doing all the hard work, reaching a winning attack, and then relaxing just a little too soon.
It’s a lesson every player learns the hard way:
Winning positions don’t win themselves.
And especially when your opponent is in time trouble, that’s when you must be at your calmest.
⏳ Don’t rush.
Use your time wisely, not emotionally.
Find the best moves — not just the fastest ones.
Outplay your opponent calmly and finish the game with precision.
The ability to convert an advantage — to stay disciplined and finish what you started — is one of the most complex and most valuable skills in chess.
It’s also one of the main things I focus on with my students.
If you’re interested in lessons to boost your understanding of the game, I currently have a few open slots or text me in DM.
đź“© Email: nestorovik@yahoo.com
